'Space Ace' Rockets to Blu-ray, HD DVD

Posted Wed Feb 6, 2008 at 08:00 AM PST by Peter Bracke

Digital Leisure is making a return trip to the '80s arcade, announcing an April Blu-ray and HD DVD release for the videogame classic 'Space Ace.'

Following the company's high-def success with 'Dragon's Lair' (which it released on blu-ray and HD DVD last year), Digital Leisure is now readying its 1986 successor, 'Space Ace,' for a simultaneous April 8 release on both high-def formats.

Utilizing the same gameplay format as 'Dragon's Lair,' 'Space Ace' combines hand-drawn 2-D animation from the Don Bluth Studios with disc-based technology, allowing gamers to pilot the heroic Ace on a series of adventures using simple joystick commands.

Fully remastered for high-def, 'Space Ace' will be presented in identical 1080p transfers on the Blu-ray and HD DVD, with the option to play the game in both the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio as well as recomposed 1.78:1. Audio options include remixed English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, plus subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German.

Extras shared across both versions include a picture-in-picture video commentary with game creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and Rick Dyer, additional interviews excerpts, as well as a "Watch Mode," which allows you to view the game's complete animation without playing.

Exclusive to the HD DVD version will be "Leisure Online," a format-first online player experience that includes "Head 2 Head" gaming, allowing multiple web-enabled users to play simultaneously.

Digital Leisure has set a suggested price of $29.98 a peice for the Blu-ray and HD DVD.

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